The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-25
A DUEL TO DEATH.
Thomas Green Kills His Nan ut Lexington.


LEXINGTON, KY, Nov. l6.-A bloody
and sensational tragedy took place here
today in front of the Phoenix hotel at
twenty minutes to II o'clock, and Just
before the arrival at that point of the
procession in honor of the unwilling of
the Breckenridge statue.
Thomas NJ. Green, staff correspondent
of the Cincinnati Commercial-G Gazette,
who had come here to attend the unveil.
ing came out of the Phoenix hotel front
entrance few minutes before the hour
above named. Just as he was in the act
of stepping to the pavement he was
approached by Lew Baldwin, Deputy Iu-
ternal Revenue Collector Of the Eighth
district, being stationed ut Nicholasville.
Baldwin held out his hand toward Green,
who took it and asked Baldwin's name.
The latter told him, but Green, being
deaf, did not hear. tie asked him again,
when Baldwin replied in louder tone
" Baldwin, and you are ID liar and
scoundrel."
Green replied to this by saying that
he was here on important business, but
that he would meet him this evening at
any hour he might name ut his (Grcen's)
hotel. This failed 30 suit Baldwin, and
he applied more vile epithcts to Green.
by this time the two men had gotten in
front of the second window of the hotel
from Limestone street. Here they
clinched and Baldwin drew his pistol
and struck Green several times in the
face with the weapon.
At this moment William ii. Polk,
editor of The Drummer, of this city,
rushed up and tried to disarm Baldwin
and stop the difficulty. He failed to do
so, however, and Green drew his pistol.
Then almost simultaneously the two men
began firing. Green's first shot struck
Baldwin in the region of the heart. As
he turned over he fired second shot at
Green, who continued shooting.
Baldwin died in less than five minutes,
and il was found that two bullets had
entered the region of the heart one Of
which had severed a large artery. As
soon rs Green finished shooting he rush.
ed To his room in the hotel and had
physician summoned, when it was found |
that one of Baldwin's shots had taken |
effect in the right side, having glanced |
around and out, producing serious but
not necessarily fatal wound. There IL
also Il wound over his left eye, but it is
believed that was produced by the pistol
Of Baldwin striking him.
Mr.. Polk during the melee was shot in
the hand, the bali making an ugly and
painful wound.
SHERIFF. MOsELEY's ACCOUNT.
Sheriff George b. Mosclcy, who accom-
panied Baldwin to Lexington, and was
with him when he met Green, gives this
account of the tragedy:
In going to Lexington he said: "Col.
Dnel, If you see Green here today, don't
have any difficulty, but pass him by"
and Baldwin promised to take his advice.
As soon as they arrived at Lexington w.
w. Baldwin, of MaysvilIe, saw Colonel
Lewis ID. Baldwin, and said: "Lcw,
Geen is here, and | want you and him to
tx up your trouble. | have been speak.
ng To Green about it. Don't have any
to which Baldwin half as.
'ented. Baldwin and Mosely then went
70 the stock sale in frontOf Phoenix hotel
stable, and Baldwin remarked: "Come;
We did not come 10 Lexington to buy
horses; let's go To the speaking"
They left, passed the Phoenix hotel,
md Baldwin saw Green coming up Main,
md said to his companion: "Thcre comes
ireen now" "DOn't say anything to
him" said Moselcy. They met on the
,rossing, and Baldwin accosted him.
your name is Green? Ny name il
and sir. you owe me an apology"
Green said :" what for?"
"For the shameful way you wrote up
'ur county and me, and | demand an
Ipology."
Green said slowly, cycling Baldwin
| am going there (p0inting 10 the horse
ale), to. attend 20 some business, and
!tcr that am going there (pointing To
he statue of Rreckinridge), aud want
10 trouble"
Baldwin, growing greatly excited said;
Sir, ] demand an apology, or ] am ready
O settle"
Green said. 81 have none for YOU"
Mosclcy said Baldwin, come don't
ave difficulty today" pulling his arm.
Baldwin then said You are an i'm
ernal cowardly scoundrcl.'
Grecn--I You may cal! me what you
'lcase, and express your opinion freely,
ut want no difficulty with you here
ow.
Baldwin then repeated his opithets and
ccame violent aud abusive, and proyok-
Il Green % strike at him, but ala not
10 him. Baldwin dodging the blow and
rawing his pistol, with which he struck ,
iIeen over the head. Green then step. I